Module 7: Surface Interpolation

This week we were tasked with creating five images of interpolated surfaces from a single site located at the Volcán Barú, Panama and three images from the Machalilla Regional Settlement.  The interpolation methods used were Kernal Density, Kriging, IDW (Inverse Distance Weighted), Natural Neighbor, and Spline.

Shovel test data was taken in .txt format and reformatted to .xls as well as a .dxl for the AutoCAD section. We then had to update the information in those files in order for ArcMap to understand the data and not produce errors.  Additionally I really enjoyed getting more first hand knowledge of the tools within ArcToolbox.

Module 6 Exploring/Manipulating Spatial Data

In Module 6 we learned how to explore and manipulate spatial data in Python.  We started out by setting the environments to allow overwrites, created a .gdb that copied all items from our data folder into the .gdb, created a search cursor that displayed name and population, and had to make sure that each task printed results.  This assignment was yet again tricky for me, mostly due to me not having a background in Python. With the guidance of a fellow student and our teacher, I was finally able to get the script to produce the required results.

Module 6 : Digitizing and Editing Large Datasets

This week we had to digitize and edit large datasets.  Honestly it was the hardest project I've done so far.  It took me roughly two weeks to finish and a lot of advice from a fellow classmate and our professor.  I ended up learning quite a bit including how to use SQL and query functions when creating a shapefile. It was a chore to read the old maps provided. Some of the landscape was skewed and  I did have trouble finding a good topographic map. Below you will see the ancient Valley of Oaxaca which contains georeferenced and digitized information.  

Process Summary:

1)      Open ArcMap, added the national geographic topographic basemap. Found the Valley of Oaxaca.

2)      Created jpgs for all necessary pictures in files provided including 1-3 4-1, appendix 1, 2, and 3. Cropped images and added for georeferencing.

3)      Georeferenced Figure 1-3 and 4-1 by changing the transparency and adding control points.

4)      Geo-referenced all images and saved as different group layers.  4-1 was easier to georeference due to the land cover depicted in the picture. 

6)      Created shapefiles for each required.

7)      Exported and saved as jpeg

8) Created  separate shapefile for the river, but ended up adding it do the land cover shapefile in order to not have so many maps.

3)      Moved on to the collection units and digitized as polygons. This part was the hardest.  I had trouble getting the collection site numbers to show up properly after using SQL and query options. Ended up having to convert labels to annotation and manually enter each site. 

4)      Site N2E3 was broken into three different pictures. This created a lot of overlapping, so I tried to place the site numbers as best as I could. In hind sight I would've preferred to create three separate shapefiles for each site.  Cest’ la vie!

 5)      Digitized the land cover and created hatch lines.

6)      Added all necessary map elements and exported. 

Module 5 Georeferencing Historic Map of Macao

The map below is of both a historic map and a present day aerial map of Macao. The overlay from 1785 was created during an expedition by James Cook and William Bligh.  You can see the slight variations of each map due to a 40% transparency added to the historic map document.

Module 4 – Python Fundamentals ll

This week we were tasked to edit a script that contained a dice rolling game.  There were a total of 8 errors found in the loop. Additionally,  we had to create a loop that counted from 0-5 printing each number. This module was arduous for me, since I've never touched scripting in my life. Thank goodness for great classmates, or I would have ended this week with bald patches. It takes a good eye to catch the simplest of errors.  On to next week.....

Module 4: Historic Records and Documents

This week focused on using historical records, documents, and images to create a map regarding Paul Revere and the location of his home in Boston, Massachusetts.  We also learned how to hyperlink addresses and add HTML's to Arcmap.  Great tools and a fun map to create!

Module 3 – Python Fundamentals I

In Module 3 we were tasked with an assignment that would require to use methods and functions in Python to manipulate strings and lists and perform basic math within the program.  The above screen shot shows the final results of the assignment. The end result required us to print our last name and a number equal three times the number of characters in our last name.

This assignment was frustrating and took a lot of finagling, but when I finally has success I got the biggest sense of relief.

A couple of things I learned to look out for was making sure to delete any symbols and excess failed scripts. (<<<, ..., and the heading in python). I got stuck at this point for a fair amount of time, but managed to figure things out with the help of some discussion postings from fellow classmates.